Christy Moore started in the music business in the mid-sixties, when his life as a bank clerk was interrupted by a bank strike, and he moved to England. There he became involved in the folk music scene at the time, and spent a few years playing pubs and clubs around the country.
His return to Ireland was marked by the album 'Prosperous', which proved to be a milestone in the rapprochement of Irish music to the popular mainstream. This album benefited from a collaboration of the leading talents of contemporary folk music, musicians such as Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny and Liam O'Flynn, and this one-off was to lead to the formation of Planxty, a band who were soon to be at the leading edge of the revival of Irish traditional music.
Over the following years the musical status of Planxty became legendary both in Ireland, Britain and throughout Europe. However in 1974 the band split up to pursue solo projects. It was during this period that Christy continued to explore new ground as a solo artist recording a number of solo albums including 'The Iron Behind the Velvet' (TARACD2002) which featured Andy Irvine and 'Live in Dublin' (TARACD2005) with Donal Lunny.
The original Planxty lineup of Christy, Andy, Liam and Donal then reformed in 1979. They recorded two further albums with Tara Records 'After the Break' (TARACD3001) and 'The Woman I Loved So Well' (TARACD3005). There were several additions and changes to their lineup most notably the addition of Matt Molloy, flautist from The Bothy Band, who later joined The Chieftains, and Bill Whelan.
In 1981 Planxty performed a Bill Whelan arrangement called 'Timedance' as the intermission piece for the Eurovision song contest, held that year in Ireland. Later it was released as a single and is now included on Bill's CD of 'The Seville Suite' (TARACD3030) released by Tara in 1992.
In the eighties Christy again teamed up with Donal Lunny to form Moving Hearts, another ambitious and innovative Irish band which sought to mix jazz into the folk-rock fusion. Ever the wanderer, Christy was soon breaking out on his own again, and it was in the eighties that he began to establish himself as one of Ireland's leading solo artists with a string of acclaimed albums and high profile tours.
In the mid-nineties Christy decided to take a break from the music for a few years. In the year 2000 Christy return to live performances with a series of Dublin concerts. Over the last few years he has released a number of solo projects including a television series, a live album and a 6 CD boxset.
Rory Is Gone
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And Rory's gone,
To play the blues in heaven.
Above the clouds,
With all the angels singing there.
His records scratched,
Like his beaten-up old Fender,
But the songs are strong,
Gone with Steve Ray,
And Jessie Ed Davis.
They died too young,
And much too premature.
Another rock'n'roller,
Gone but not forgotten,
As his old guitar still mourns and plays,
And wails and screams the blues.
It sings for Mississippi Fred,
And Muddy Waters,
Son House, Sleepy John,
And the Nighthawk too.
Blacks, whites, blues and greens,
All the colours mixed together
Now Rory's gone to Heaven.
Since Rory's gone to Heaven,
To play the blues.
And Rory's gone to play,
The blues in Heaven,
And Rory's gone to Heaven,
To play the blues.
The song "Rory is Gone" by Christy Moore is a tribute to the late Irish blues and rock guitarist Rory Gallagher, who passed away on June 14, 1995. The song is a melancholic reflection on the tragic early deaths of several notable musicians, including Gallagher himself, as they continue to play on in Heaven. The first verse describes Gallagher's departure to "play the blues in heaven," above the clouds, alongside the angels. Despite his worn-out records and guitar, "the songs are strong, and the notes hang in the air." The following verse references other fallen musicians like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jessie Ed Davis, and characterizes the premature losses as another example of a talented rock'n'roller gone but not forgotten.
The last verse of the song's lyrics revolve around Gallagher's guitar, as it continues to mourn and play the blues on its own. The lyrics mention other influential blues artists, including Mississippi Fred, Muddy Waters, Son House, and Sleepy John, among others. It highlights how blues music brings people of different races and cultures together, making all the colors mix together in harmony. In the end, the song is a loving tribute to Rory Gallagher and others like him, who left us too soon but whose music lives on in the hearts of many.
Line by Line Meaning
And Rory's gone,
Rory Gallagher has passed away
To play the blues in heaven.
Heaven's musical scene has acquired a new and outstanding blues performer
Above the clouds,
He now performs in the highest of heights, closer to the divine
With all the angels singing there.
All of creation is awestruck and moved by his music
His records scratched,
His legacy has been weathered by time
Like his beaten-up old Fender,
Like his trusty guitar, which has been his loyal companion through thick and thin
But the songs are strong,
His music remains timeless and powerful
And the notes hang in the air.
His melodies and rhythms resonate across the universe
Gone with Steve Ray,
Rory has joined his fellow guitarists in the afterlife, including Steve Ray Vaughan
And Jessie Ed Davis.
As well as Jesse Ed Davis, among other musical legends who have passed away
They died too young,
Their departure was premature and tragic
And much too premature.
Their music was cut short before their full potential could be realized
Another rock'n'roller,
Rory Gallagher was a true rock and roll artist
Gone but not forgotten,
Though he is no longer with us, his legacy endures
As his old guitar still mourns and plays,
Even without Rory, his music still lives and reverberates through his trusty instrument
And wails and screams the blues.
The guitar's sound is imbued with Rory's passion, and still communicates powerful emotions and messages
It sings for Mississippi Fred,
Rory's guitar pays tribute to a variety of blues inspiration, such as Mississippi Fred
And Muddy Waters,
And Muddy Waters as well, among other great musical icons
Son House, Sleepy John,
Including Son House and Sleepy John, other blues legends who had passed away before him
And the Nighthawk too.
Likewise, the Nighthawk is also remembered through his music
Blacks, whites, blues and greens,
The full spectrum of human identity and emotion is present and celebrated in Rory's blues performances
All the colours mixed together
Rory Gallagher's music was universal and transcended social boundaries
Now Rory's gone to Heaven.
Rory's journey has reached its end, and he has moved on to the next phase of his existence
Since Rory's gone to Heaven,
As he is untouchable now, his music is all that is left of him
To play the blues.
Rory is now playing his passionate blues guitar in the highest realm possible
And Rory's gone to play,
He has left behind those who admire his music and appreciate his talent
The blues in Heaven,
Rory has found his spiritual home and continues to make music with fellow angels
And Rory's gone to Heaven,
As the refrain rings through, the audience repeats the notion that Rory is in haven performing
Contributed by Alex S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Oisin feehilly
on By Barna
Hellow Lady, Can I borrow your teddy
Samuel Joseph Donnelly
on Whacker Humphries
Ask "whacker" about the Provo they marched on and set up for votes in council elections- set up by a brasser from the Barn named Lilly Healy- 18 fucking years in blocks/cages/ torture centres and back stabbed by wannabes from Dublin! Between Active service ( killing etc whacker in case you didn't know!!
Chloe Mcl
on Hey Paddy
Is that the words Brendan O'Carroll sing